Survey on Mental Health and Wellness Quotient at Workplace among Corporate employees urges action for positive change
Pune, May 09, 2023: MPower, an initiative by The Aditya Birla Education Trust, in collaboration with IPSOS, revealed the results of a groundbreaking survey ‘Mental Health and Wellness Quotient @Workplace 2023’ shedding light on the startling challenges faced by corporate employees in major metropolitan cities of India. The survey, conducted over a period of 5 months, examined the mental health status of 3,000 corporate employees from ten sectors across eight major Indian cities, including Pune. Pune-based employees were found to have several unique challenges that need to be addressed by corporates to improve their mental health.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a significant concern for employees, and this trend has been observed across major cities in India, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Pune where personal health, family, and personal time are the top obligations that tend to be affected for employees. In Pune, 81% of individuals find it difficult to strike a proper work-life balance. This struggle is reflected in the city’s higher number of reported sick leaves. Furthermore, the expectation for employees to work even when on leave persists in Pune, as it does in other cities. However, despite the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in Pune, the city has seen a significant rise in individuals who have found a way to achieve this goal. In contrast to other major cities such as Hyderabad (12%), Kolkata (11%), and Mumbai (14%), 19% of individuals in Pune have managed to balance their work and personal life effectively.
Furthermore, in line with the national trend, employees in Pune have experienced a loss of work productivity due to the increased adoption of remote working. Moreover, lack of motivation and stress are major concerns among employees in Pune. The city’s workforce has also been significantly impacted by pay cuts, affecting 48% of employees, while 46% of employees suffer from insufficient salary.
In terms of health and well-being, back pain is a significant concern for individuals in Pune, with 46% of respondents reporting it as an issue. Additionally, 34% of individuals in Pune report knee pain. Despite these challenges, a large majority of employees (86%) in Pune report satisfaction with their professional growth over the past 3-5 years.
● The survey commissioned by Mpower focused on screening corporate employees to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mental health issues faced by employees across various Industries and corporates across India
● The survey analyzed responses from a sample of 3,000 corporate employees across 8 cities in India, including corporate employees from managerial to CEO levels
● 81% find it difficult to strike a proper work-life balance
● Employees Struggle with Work-Life Balance, Motivation, and Pay Cuts
Commenting on the survey findings Dr Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of Mpower and Aditya Birla Education Trust, eloquently emphasises, “Corporate burnout and the mental health stress among employees have reached alarming levels in India, and we must take action to address this critical issue. At Mpower, we are committed to driving conversations around mental health and raising awareness to help destigmatize mental health discussions. We urge policy changes at both the government and corporate levels, with a focus on mental health as a real challenge that requires attention. Employee well-being programs must be implemented to support those in need, and the destigmatization of mental health is urgently required to ensure equitable support to all employees. A physically and mentally healthy workforce is crucial for a country like India, which is relying on its youth for economic growth. Let’s prioritize mental health and take the necessary steps to create a healthier, more productive workforce for the betterment of our nation.”
The Mpower Mental Health & Wellness Quotient @Workplace Survey screened corporate employees for mental health challenges at the workplace. It also assessed how job/work-life balance, family and relationship pressures, and financial pressures affect the mental health of corporate employees. The survey results can guide corporations in improving the mental health and well-being of their employees by implementing mental health resources and support, destigmatizing mental health issues, and prioritizing employee well-being as a part of their organizational culture. This can improve the lives of employees while also boosting productivity, creativity, and overall success.
On the mental health and Wellness 2023 Survey result Dr Sneha Arya, Psychiatrist, Mpower The Centre Pune said ” we have had an increase in the number of youngsters between the age of 24 to 40 years coming for counselling at our Pune centre. Work-related stress and the lack of work-life balance have become significant concerns for individuals in Pune in today’s fast-paced corporate culture. The constant pressure to perform, coupled with long working hours and an always-on work culture, is leading to mental health issues such as burnout, anxiety, and depression. This not only affects individuals’ work life but also their personal life, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is crucial for organizations to recognize the impact of work-related stress and prioritize their employees’ mental health and well-being”.
Adding to the mental health challenges in corporate employees pertaining to Corporate culture in Pune, which is a major corporate hub in India, has evolved to a point where work is no longer limited to just working hours. Pune is among the top ten cities in India with the highest job opportunities and highest number of professionals, which indicates the high pressure of work culture. Holidays have become extensions of workdays, and multi-tasking and cross-functional job requirements have become the norm. Pune has the highest stress levels among employees according to multiple work culture surveys including our Survey on Mental Health and Wellness@2023. While the pandemic has brought mental health to the forefront, the competitive nature of the corporate world continues to add to the stress levels of employees. As a solution to this companies need to set up wellness centres for employees in Pune to provide counselling and other mental health services, provide policies that support Work life balance, engage with employees beyond just work and support them in emotional growth etc. A happy and healthy workforce is the foundation of any successful business, and organizations need to recognize the importance of prioritizing employee well-being in order to thrive in today’s competitive corporate culture said Dr. Ambrish Dharmadhikari, Psychiatrist, AVP – Clinical Operations and Rural Initiative
For those who need to seek mental health support please call the free mental health helpline- 1800 120 820050
